System and methods for dynamic synchronization signal block periodicity modifications

ABSTRACT

A method, system, and medium are provided for optimizing a user experience based on periodicity modifications. In embodiments, when a large volume of UE are located in a particular sector of a cell site, the periodicity of a synchronization block transmitted from a base station may be adjusted in order to change a rate or speed of on-loading user equipment at the cell site. In some embodiments, by shortening the periodicity of a synchronization block, user equipment may be more quickly on-loaded to a wireless network at the cell site.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.17/377,765, filed on 16 Jul. 2021 and entitled “System and Methods forDynamic Synchronization Signal Block Periodicity Modifications,” whichis a continuation that claims the benefit of priority to U.S.application Ser. No. 16/830,958, filed on 26 Mar. 2020 and entitled“System and Methods for Dynamic Synchronization Signal Block PeriodicityModifications,” the entireties of which are incorporated by referenceherein.

SUMMARY

A high-level overview of various aspects of the invention are providedhere for that reason, to provide an overview of the disclosure and tointroduce a selection of concepts that are further described below inthe detailed-description section below. This summary is not intended toidentify key features or essential features of the claimed subjectmatter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in isolation todetermine the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In brief and at a high level, an antenna array may be partitioned suchthat different elements in the antenna array may operate using differenttechnologies. In some embodiments, this virtual configuration refers tothe antenna array operating in a dual technology mode, orEvolved-Universal Terrestrial Radio Access-New Radio Dual Connectivity(“EN-DC”) mode, based on a radio controlling the antenna array. Whenoperating in the dual technology mode, an antenna array may concurrentlyconnect to and communicate with user equipment (UE) using at least twodistinct access technologies. For example, when operating in the dualtechnology mode, the radio and antenna array of the base station maysupport a concurrent connection to UE capable of 5G and legacy UE thatonly supports non-5G technologies. Further, when operating in the dualtechnology mode, the radio and antenna array of the base station mayconcurrently provide service for Long Term Evolution (LTE) Evolved NodeB (eNodeB) and 5th Generation (5G) Next Generation Node B (gNodeB)access technologies in a telecommunications network.

In some embodiments, the antenna elements in the antenna array may bemanaged and adjusted for each of the two or more access technologies bythe radio of the base station. For example, one group of antennaelements associated with a first access technology may be adjustedindependently from another group of antenna elements associated with adifferent access technology within the same antenna array. In this way,the radio and antenna array operating in the dual technology mode mayimplement changes for a first access technology independent of theoperations of the second access technology.

For example, the periodicity of a signal synchronization block that istransmitted using one or more antenna elements that are dedicated to thefirst access technology may be changed. The change in the periodicity ofa signal synchronization block that is transmitted using one or moreantenna elements that are dedicated to the first access technology maybe used to change a timing, rate, or “speed” at which UE are able to “onboard” or connect to the first access technology, thereby reducing theoccurrence of synchronization failures experienced by UE.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described indetail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, andwherein:

FIG. 1 depicts an example of a network environment in accordance withone or more embodiments;

FIG. 2 depicts various first and second access technology antennaelements partitioned within an antenna array in accordance with one ormore embodiments;

FIG. 3 depicts an example of a timing interval for synchronizationsignal blocks using a first periodicity in accordance with one or moreembodiments;

FIG. 4 depicts an example of a timing interval for synchronizationsignal blocks using a second periodicity in accordance with one or moreembodiments;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example method for optimizing a user experiencebased on periodicity modifications, in accordance with one or moreembodiments;

FIG. 6 illustrates another example method for optimizing a userexperience based on periodicity modifications, in accordance with one ormore embodiments; and

FIG. 7 depicts an example computing device suitable for use inimplementations of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of select embodiments of the present invention isdescribed with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. Butthe description itself is not intended to define what we regard as ourinvention, which is what the claims do. The claimed subject matter mightbe embodied in other ways to include different steps or combinations ofsteps similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunctionwith other present or future technologies. Terms should not beinterpreted as implying any particular order among or between varioussteps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individualsteps is explicitly described.

Throughout this disclosure, several acronyms and shorthand notations areused to aid the understanding of certain concepts pertaining to theassociated system and services. These acronyms and shorthand notationsare intended to help provide an easy methodology of communicating theideas expressed herein and are not meant to limit the scope of thepresent invention. The following is a list of these acronyms:

-   -   3G Third-Generation Wireless Access Technology    -   4G Fourth-Generation Wireless Access Technology    -   5G Fifth-Generation Wireless Access Technology    -   AAU Active Antenna Unit    -   BRS Broadband Radio Service    -   CD-ROM Compact Disk Read Only Memory    -   CDMA Code Division Multiple Access    -   EIRP Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power    -   eNodeB Evolved Node B    -   EVDO Evolution-Data Optimized    -   GIS Geographic/Geographical/Geospatial Information System    -   gNB Next Generation Node B    -   gNB CU Next Generation Node B Central Unit    -   gNB DU Next Generation Node B Distribution Unit    -   GPRS General Packet Radio Service    -   GSM Global System for Mobile communications    -   iDEN Integrated Digital Enhanced Network    -   DVD Digital Versatile Discs    -   EEPROM Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory    -   FD-MIMO Full Dimension Multiple-Input Multiple-Output    -   LED Light Emitting Diode    -   LTE Long Term Evolution    -   MD Mobile Device    -   MIMO Multiple-Input Multiple-Output    -   mMIMO Massive Multiple-Input Multiple-Output    -   MMU Massive Multiple-Input Multiple-Output Unit    -   mmWave Millimeter Wave    -   NEXRAD Next-Generation Radar    -   NR New Radio    -   OOBE Out-of-Band-Emission    -   OTN Optical Transport Network    -   PC Personal Computer    -   PCS Personal Communications Service    -   PDA Personal Digital Assistant    -   RAM Random Access Memory    -   RET Remote Electrical Tilt    -   RF Radio-Frequency    -   RFI Radio-Frequency Interference    -   RLF Radio Link Failure    -   R/N Relay Node    -   RNR Reverse Noise Rise    -   ROM Read Only Memory    -   RRU Remote Radio Unit    -   RSRP Reference Transmission Receive Power    -   RSRQ Reference Transmission Receive Quality    -   RSSI Received Transmission Strength Indicator    -   SINR Signal-to-Interference-Plus-Noise Ratio    -   SNR Transmission-to-Noise Ratio    -   SON Self-Organizing Networks    -   TDMA Time Division Multiple Access    -   TXRU Transceiver (or Transceiver Unit)    -   UE User Equipment    -   UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunications System    -   UTRAN UMTS Radio Access Network    -   E-UTRAN Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System    -   WCD Wireless Communication Device (interchangeable with UE)

Further, various technical terms are used throughout this description.An illustrative resource that fleshes out various aspects of these termscan be found in Newton's Telecom Dictionary, 25th Edition (2009).

Embodiments herein may be embodied as, among other things: a method,system, or set of instructions embodied on one or more computer-readablemedia. Computer-readable media include both volatile and nonvolatilemedia, removable and nonremovable media, and contemplate media readableby a database, a switch, and various other network devices.Computer-readable media includes media implemented in any way forstoring information. Examples of stored information includecomputer-useable instructions, data structures, program modules, andother data representations. Media examples include RAM, ROM, EEPROM,flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile discs(DVD), holographic media or other optical disc storage, magneticcassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage, and other magneticstorage devices. These technologies can store data momentarily,temporarily, or permanently. Embodiments may take the form of a hardwareembodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware. Someembodiments may take the form of a computer-program product thatincludes computer-useable or computer-executable instructions embodiedon one or more computer-readable media.

“Computer-readable media” can be any available media and may includevolatile and nonvolatile media, as well as removable and non-removablemedia. By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable mediamay include computer storage media and communication media.

“Computer storage media” may include, without limitation, volatile andnonvolatile media, as well as removable and non-removable media,implemented in any method or technology for storage of information, suchas computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, orother data. In this regard, computer storage media may include, but isnot limited to, Random Access Memory (RAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM),Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), flashmemory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks(DVDs) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape,magnetic disk storage, or other magnetic storage device, or any othermedium which can be used to store the desired information and which maybe accessed by the computing device 700 shown in FIG. 7 . Computerstorage media does not comprise a signal per se.

“Communication media” may include, without limitation, computer-readableinstructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in amodulated data signal, such as a carrier wave or other transportmechanism, and may include any information delivery media. As usedherein, the term “modulated data signal” refers to a signal that has oneor more of its attributes set or changed in such a manner as to encodeinformation in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation,communication media includes wired media such as a wired network ordirect-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, radiofrequency (RF), infrared, and other wireless media. Combinations of anyof the above also may be included within the scope of computer-readablemedia.

A “network” refers to a network comprised of wireless and wiredcomponents that provide wireless communications service coverage to oneor more UE. The network may comprise one or more base stations, one ormore cell sites (i.e., managed by a base station), one or more celltowers (i.e., having an antenna) associated with each base station orcell site, a gateway, a backhaul server that connects two or more basestations, a database, a power supply, sensors, and other components notdiscussed herein, in various embodiments.

The terms “base station” and “cell site” may be used interchangeablyherein to refer to a defined wireless communications coverage area(i.e., a geographic area) serviced by a base station. It will beunderstood that one base station may control one cell site oralternatively, one base station may control multiple cell sites. Asdiscussed herein, a base station is deployed in the network to controland facilitate, via one or more antenna arrays, the broadcast,transmission, synchronization, and receipt of one or more wirelesssignals in order to communicate with, verify, authenticate, and providewireless communications service coverage to one or more UE that requestto join and/or are connected to a network.

An “access point” may refer to hardware, software, devices, or othercomponents at a base station, cell site, and/or cell tower having anantenna, an antenna array, a radio, a transceiver, and/or a controller.Generally, an access point may communicate directly with user equipmentaccording to one or more access technologies (e.g., 3G, 4G, LTE, 5G,mMIMO) as discussed hereinafter.

The terms “user equipment,” “UE,” “mobile device,” and “wirelesscommunication device” are used interchangeably to refer to a deviceemployed by an end-user that communicates using a network. UE generallyincludes one or more antenna coupled to a radio for exchanging (e.g.,transmitting and receiving) transmissions with a nearby base station,via an antenna array of the base station. In embodiments, UE may take onany variety of devices, such as a personal computer, a laptop computer,a tablet, a netbook, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a personal digitalassistant, a wearable device, a fitness tracker, or any other devicecapable of communicating using one or more resources of the network. UEmay include components such as software and hardware, a processor, amemory, a display component, a power supply or power source, a speaker,a touch-input component, a keyboard, and the like. In embodiments, someof the UE discussed herein may include current UE capable of using 5Gand having backward compatibility with prior access technologies,current UE capable of using 5G and lacking backward compatibility withprior access technologies, and legacy UE that is not capable of using5G.

The terms “radio,” “controller,” “antenna,” and “antenna array” are usedinterchangeably to refer to one or more software and hardware componentsthat facilitate sending and receiving wireless radio-frequency signals,for example, based on instructions from a base station. A radio may beused to initiate and generate information that is then sent out throughthe antenna array, for example, where the radio and antenna array may beconnected by one or more physical paths. Generally an antenna arraycomprises a plurality of individual antenna elements. The antennasdiscussed herein may be dipole antennas, having a length, for example,of ¼, ½, 1, or 1½ wavelength. The antennas may be monopole, loop,parabolic, traveling-wave, aperture, yagi-uda, conical spiral, helical,conical, radomes, horn, and/or apertures, or any combination thereof.The antennas may be capable of sending and receiving transmission viaFD-MIMO, Massive MIMO, 3G, 4G, 5G, and/or 802.11 protocols andtechniques.

The term “dual technology” is used herein to indicate that at least twodistinct technologies are available for concurrent utilization, forexample, by a radio and corresponding antenna array. However, it will beunderstood from this discussion herein that radios that are capable ofoperating with more than two technologies are also contemplated to bewithin the scope of the invention and the term “dual” is not to beconstrued as specifically limiting the embodiments of the invention.

The term “mMIMO” may refer to one or more high element capacity antennaconfigurations, such as Full Dimension or Massive Multiple-InputMultiple-Output antenna configurations (interchangeably referred to as“FD MIMO” or “mMIMO”). In embodiments, mMIMO antenna arrays have aplurality of transmitting and receiving antenna elements that are,generally, physically arranged in a compact and high numberconfiguration. In embodiments, the compact and dense configuration ofthe plurality of antenna elements within a single antenna may increasewireless network performance and throughput compared to prior,non-compact and/or low density antenna elements. For example of scale, amMIMO antenna array may have approximately 64 to 128 individual antennaelements, though this is only an example and is not to be construed aslimiting the number of antenna elements in any array. Additionally, forexample, a mMIMO antenna array may generate a beam having a narrowerbeam width relative to a non-MIMO antenna array.

The term “synchronization signal” generally refers to a synchronizationsignal block (“SS Block” or “SSB”) within a transmission sent by anantenna element, antenna array, or antenna at a cell site, as controlledby a base station. In some embodiments, the synchronization signal is anNR-5G specific SSB. The terms “synchronization signal,” “SS block,” and“SSB” may be used interchangeably herein. An “SSB Burst” refers to a setof synchronization signal blocks. Generally, a single transmission mayinclude multiple synchronization signals that are evenly andconsistently repeated within a timeframe. For example, a synchronizationsignal may consistently reoccur (i.e., repeat) every n number of frames,half-frames, sub-frames, slots, or symbols (e.g., n being a wholeinteger or a pattern of integers). For example, a synchronization signalmay consistently and evenly reoccur for a time interval such as every 10milliseconds. In another example, a synchronization signal may reoccurin a repeating pattern (e.g., occurs at a first time interval of 10milliseconds, then occurs at a second time interval 20 milliseconds, andthen occurs at a third time interval 15 milliseconds, before the patternbegins again at the first time interval of 10 milliseconds).Additionally or alternatively, a synchronization signal may consistentlyreoccur (i.e., repeat) every n number of resource blocks (e.g., n beinga whole integer). The time interval of the synchronization signal (i.e.,a duration of time between repeating synchronization signals), whether afixed integer n of repeating occurrences or a complex pattern ofoccurrences, may generally be referred to as “periodicity” hereinafter.

Additionally, it will be understood that terms such as “first,”“second,” and “third” are used herein for the purposes of clarity indistinguishing between elements or features, but the terms are not usedherein to import, imply, or otherwise limit the relevance, importance,quantity, technological functions, sequence, order, and/or operations ofany element or feature unless specifically and explicitly stated assuch.

Overview

Generally, antenna arrays are located at a cell site that is controlledby a base station. An antenna array may transmit and/or receive signalsusing one or more access technologies. For example, an antenna array maybe configured with software that controls the hardware components andoperation of the antenna array such that the antenna array operatesusing a 4G and/or 5G access technologies. In embodiments, an antennaarray may be virtually partitioned into two or more distinct portions ofantenna elements that utilize distinct access technologies (i.e., “dualtechnology” mode). In embodiments, an antenna array is virtuallypartitioned such that a first portion of individual antenna elementsoperate using a first access technology and a second portion ofindividual antenna elements operate using a second access technology. Invarious embodiments, the antenna elements of the first and secondportions may be controlled independent of each other. For example, thecontent, type, rate, strength, and/or periodicity of transmissions, suchas synchronization signals, of the first portion of antenna elements maybe changed independent of the functions of the second portion of antennaelements. Further, each antenna element may be individually controlled,in some embodiments.

In embodiments, the periodicity of synchronization signals and/or rateof repeated synchronization signals in one or more transmissionsoriginating from the first portion of antenna elements dedicated to thefirst access technology may be modified, independent of the secondportion of antenna elements, in order to optimize service for UE byincreasing the speed by which UE can connect to the network using thefirst access technology. Embodiments herein provide methods, systems,and computer-readable media that adjust, modify, change, and/orcustomize the periodicity of synchronization signals that aretransmitted from an antenna at a cell site that is controlled by a basestation. The embodiments herein can improve the speed by which one ormore UE are able to connect to a network using the first accesstechnology. For example, by shortening the periodicity ofsynchronization signals, the synchronization signals are repeatedlytransmitted more often (e.g., increased frequency) within a definedperiod of time, an increased number of synchronization signals are thusproduced that may be detected by one or more UE and used by one or moreUE to connect to the network using the first access technology. Byincreasing the repeating of the synchronization signals (i.e.,shortening the time interval or duration of time that lapses betweensynchronization signal transmissions), a base station provides one ormore UE an increased number of opportunities and/or more frequentopportunities to detect the synchronization signals. Based on theincreased number of opportunities and/or more frequent opportunitiesavailable for detection of synchronization signals, the UE may morequickly connect to the network using the first access technology. Inembodiments, the periodicity is used to define the subcarrier spacingand slot/symbol location(s) of repeated synchronization signals, such asan SS block. For example, the periodicity may be used to define thesubcarrier spacing and slot/symbol location(s) of a set of repeated SSblocks that together form an SSB Burst.

The embodiments herein may adjust, modify, change, and/or customize theperiodicity of synchronization signals that are transmitted from anantenna at a cell site that is controlled by a base station based on, inresponse to, and/or as triggered by an event, such as the occurrenceand/or reporting of radio link failures (RLFs). In some embodiments, theRLFs are associated with, specific to, caused by, and/or result from oneor more UE failing to detect one or more synchronization signals thathave been transmitted at the cell site. The quantity of RLFs occurringmay be determined by the base station in near real-time and/orperiodically, in embodiments. Further, the base station may determinewhether the quantity of RLFs meets, exceeds, or is within a percentageor numeric range of a predefined threshold, in some embodiments.

In one embodiment, the periodicity used when transmitting one or moresynchronization signals may be adjusted by the base station, based on,triggered by, and/or in response to the determination that the quantityof RLFs for UE meets, exceeds, or is within a percentage or numericrange of a predefined threshold. In some embodiments, the periodicity ofsynchronization signals may be adjusted based on such a determination,wherein the RLFs are specific to synchronization signal detectionfailures for one or more UE that utilize the first access technology,such as UE that are capable of using 5G technology. The RLFs thatcorrespond to synchronization signal detection failures of UE may beassociated with an existing, current, and/or default periodicity, inembodiments.

In order to adjust the existing, current, and/or default periodicitythat is associated with RLFs that meet the predefined threshold, a newvalue to be used for the periodicity is determined, in embodiments.Embodiments herein may determine a new periodicity (i.e., an integervalue, such as n, specifying a time unit, such as milliseconds) toimplement in place of the current periodicity. In embodiments, relativeto the current periodicity, the new periodicity values may be less than(i.e., shortened periodicity provides increased rate of occurrencewithin a time period) than the existing, current, and/or defaultperiodicity. The periodicity may be adjusted by shortening the timeinterval of the periodicity, in some embodiments. For example,synchronization signals may be transmitted at a periodicity of one SSblock every 20 milliseconds. When RLFs that correspond to SS blockdetection failures meet or exceed a predefined threshold, theperiodicity may be changed so that SS blocks that were being transmittedevery 20 milliseconds (i.e., a first periodicity) are to be transmittedevery 15 milliseconds (i.e., a second periodicity), for example. Basedon the adjustment, one SS block is subsequently transmitted every 15milliseconds from the antenna array, in this example. In anotherexample, when RLFs that correspond to SS block detection failures meetor exceed the predefined threshold, the periodicity of the SS blocks maybe changed from 20 milliseconds to 10 milliseconds. One SS block can besubsequently transmitted every 10 milliseconds, in such an example.

In various embodiments, the new or “second” periodicity may beidentified, determined, and/or selected via a processor of the basestation based on existing, current, and/or historical loadingmeasurements associated with, measured by, and/or as monitored at theantenna array. The existing, current, and/or historical loadingmeasurements of the antenna array may specifically indicate loadingvalues for UE that are/have been connected via the first accesstechnology at the same antenna array, a similar antenna array, and/orthe same or similar cell site(s). For example, the base stationcontrolling the antenna array may measure the current loading at theantenna array for UE connected to the first access technology and/or mayreference a historical loading at the antenna array for UE connected tothe first access technology. The base station may use the historicalloading measurements to identify that the second periodicity should be10 milliseconds, for example, as opposed to 15 milliseconds. In someembodiments, the base station may disregard the loading of UE that areusing the second access technology.

Subsequent to adjusting, modifying, changing, and/or customizing theperiodicity of synchronization signals that are transmitted based on, inresponse to, and/or as triggered by an event such as one or more RLFsoccurring and meeting a threshold, a base station may monitor subsequentevents such as RLFs, in some embodiments. In embodiments, the RLFsoccurring after the periodicity adjustment may be determined to meet,exceed, or be within a percentage or numeric range of a predefinedthreshold, and then the periodicity of the synchronization signals maybe adjusted further, as described hereinafter.

In one embodiment, a method is provided for optimizing a user experiencebased on periodicity modifications. In embodiments, one or moresynchronization signals are transmitted using a first periodicity. Aquantity of synchronization signal detection failures are determined tomeet a threshold, in an embodiment. In some embodiments, a secondperiodicity that is different from the first periodicity is determined.In response to determining that the quantity of synchronization signaldetection failures meets the threshold, one or more additionalsynchronization signals are subsequently transmitted using the secondperiodicity.

In another embodiment, computer-readable storage media havingcomputer-executable instructions embodied thereon are provided forexecution by one or more processors. In embodiments, the execution ofthe instruction causes a first plurality of synchronization signals tobe transmitted using a first periodicity. The plurality ofsynchronization signals are configured for receipt by one or more UEthat are capable of using a first access technology, in embodiments. Insome embodiments, a first quantity of synchronization signal detectionfailures are determined to meet a threshold based on the first pluralityof synchronization signals transmitted. A second periodicity may bedetermined, in embodiments, based on a total quantity of the one or moreUE that are capable of using the first access technology. In someembodiments, the second periodicity is a repeatable time interval thatis shorter in duration than the first periodicity. A second plurality ofsynchronization signals may be transmitted using the second periodicity,in an embodiment. A second quantity of synchronization signal detectionfailures are monitored based on the second plurality of synchronizationsignals transmitted, in various embodiments.

Embodiments herein comprise a system of one or more hardware processors.In embodiments, the system transmits a first plurality ofsynchronization signals using a first periodicity, the plurality ofsynchronization signals for receipt by one or more UE that are capableof using a first access technology. A first quantity of synchronizationsignal detection failures are determined to meet a threshold based onthe first plurality of synchronization signals transmitted, in someembodiments. In an embodiment, a second periodicity is determined basedon a total quantity of the one or more UE that are capable of using thefirst access technology, wherein the second periodicity is a repeatabletime interval that is shorter in duration than the first periodicity. Asecond plurality of synchronization signals is transmitted using thesecond periodicity, in some embodiments. A second quantity ofsynchronization signal detection failures is determined based on thesecond plurality of synchronization signals transmitted.

Systems

Beginning with FIG. 1 , an example of a network environment 100 suitablefor use in implementing embodiments of the present disclosure isprovided. The network environment 100 is but one example of a suitablenetwork environment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as tothe scope of use or functionality of the disclosure. Neither should thenetwork environment 100 be interpreted as having any dependency orrequirement relating to any one or combination of componentsillustrated.

The network environment 100 includes a network 102 that provides serviceto current UE 104 and 106 and one or more legacy UE 108 and 110. Thenetwork 102 may be accessible through a base station 112 that isconnected to a backhaul server (not shown). The base station 112 and/ora computing device (e.g., whether local or remote) associated with thebase station 112 may manage or otherwise control the operations ofcomponents of a cell site, including an antenna array 116. The basestation 112 and/or the computing device associated with the base station112 may include one or more processors and computer-readable storagemedia having computer-executable instructions or computer instructionmodules embodied thereon for execution by one or more processors.

The antenna array 116 may radiate in a particular direction and thus maycorrespond to a particular sector of a cell site. The antenna array 116may have a plurality of antenna elements, in embodiments. In oneembodiment, the antenna array 116 is configured to have a plurality ofelements that in number, arrangement, and/or density, are configured formMIMO. In one such embodiment, the base station 112 may include a radioand/or a controller, such as a Massive Multiple-Input Multiple-OutputUnit (MMU) for controlling a mMIMO configured antenna array, such as theantenna array 116 having a plurality of antenna elements. The basestation 112 may use the controller to monitor one or more of throughput,signal quality metrics (e.g., SINR), a quantity of uniqueusers/subscribers, a quantity of unique UE, and/or RLFs that occur atthe base station, dynamically and/or as stored in a data store.

The base station 112 may use a radio that is connected to the antennaarray 116 by a physical RF path, where the radio is used to cause theantenna array 116 to transmit radio-frequency signals using theplurality of antenna elements. The plurality of antenna elements in theantenna array 116 may include a first portion of antenna elements 118Aand a second portion of antenna elements 118B, shown in FIG. 2 . Inembodiments, the plurality of antenna elements of the antenna array 116may be partitioned such that a first portion of antenna elements 118Amay be associated with, dedicated to, correspond to, and/or beconfigured to operate using a first access technology, and a secondportion of antenna elements 118B may be associated with, dedicated to,correspond to, and/or be configured to operate using a second accesstechnology. In one embodiment, the plurality of antenna elements may bepartitioned into unequal groups or alternatively “split” into equalhalves, wherein each group or half operates to provide a coverage areafor a distinct access technology when the antenna array 116 operates ina dual technology mode.

In some embodiments, the antenna array 116 is partitioned such that thefirst portion of antenna elements 118A is associated with the firstaccess technology and the second portion of antenna elements 118B isassociated with the second access technology. When the antenna array 116is operating in a dual technology mode, each portion of the plurality ofantenna elements may operate using only one distinct protocol and/oraccess technology relative to the other portions in the antenna array,in some embodiments. In one example, a first portion of antenna elements118A may operate using 5G wireless access technology and the secondportion of antenna elements 118B may operate using 4G wireless accesstechnology. As illustrated in FIG. 2 , for example, the plurality ofantenna elements may be apportioned or virtually partitioned into thefirst and second portions 118A and 118B using a variety ofconfigurations, and the embodiments herein are not limited to only thoseapportionments depicted, nor are the embodiments herein limited tobalanced-array apportionments or specific ratios between variousportions of the antenna array. Additionally, it will be understood thatthe terms “first” and “second” are used herein for the purposes ofclarity in distinguishing portions of antenna elements from one another,but the terms are not used herein to limit the sequence, relevance,number of portions, technological functions, and/or operations of eachportion unless specifically and explicitly stated as such.

As such, the base station 112 may provide current UE 104 and 106 andlegacy UE 108 and 110 with access to the network 102, in embodiments. Insome embodiments, the first portion of antenna elements 118A maycommunicate with current UE 104 and 106 using 5G technology and thesecond portion of the antenna elements 118B may communicate with legacyUE 108 and 110 using 4G technology. When operating in the dualtechnology mode, the antenna array 116 may concurrently connect to andcommunicate with the current UE 104 and 106 and legacy UE 108 and 110using, respectively, at least two distinct access technologies.

Accordingly, in one example, when the antenna array 116 is operating inthe dual technology mode, the base station 112 concurrently acts anEvolved Node B (i.e., “eNodeB” or “eNB”) and a Next Generation Node B(i.e., “gNodeB” or “gNB”). As such, the base station 112 may provideservice to one or more access technologies to both current and legacyUE. In addition to communicating with the current UE 104 and 106 and thelegacy UE 108 and 110, the base station 112 may also communicate withone or more neighboring base stations. In some embodiments, the basestation 112 may communicate with neighboring base station 120 using thefirst access technology and may communicate with another neighboringbase station 122 using the second access technology. For example,because the base station 112 may operate concurrently as an eNodeB and agNodeB using the antenna array 116 that is partitioned and operating ina dual technology mode, the base station 112 may communicate with otherbase stations, for example, including legacy base stations that cannotuse current access technologies (e.g., 5G) or current base stations thatlack backward compatibility with prior access technologies (e.g., 4G).In embodiments, the base station 112 may bi-directionally exchangeinformation with neighboring base stations 120 and 122 through an X2interface or X2 link. Information regarding signal quality, radiofrequency conditions, one or more RLFs, and SINR levels at each of theneighboring base stations 120 and 122, and/or as reported from UE to theneighboring base stations 120 and 122 may be communicated to the basestation 112 via the X2 link. Additionally or alternatively, informationregarding signal quality, RLFs, and SINR levels at each of theneighboring base stations 120 and 122 may be communicated to the basestation 112 over the backhaul.

As mentioned, the base station 112 may include a radio and/or acontroller, such as an MMU, that enables the base station 112 to adjustor modify the operations and transmissions of the plurality of antennaelements in the antenna array 116. In embodiments, the operations,configurations, and/or settings of each antenna element may beindividually controlled and adjusted by the base station 112 using thecontroller. In some embodiments, the operations, configurations, and/orsettings of the first portion of antenna elements 118A may be controlledand adjusted as a group by the base station 112 using a controller, suchas an MMU, independent of the second portion of antenna elements 118B.In a similar fashion, the operations, configurations, and/or settings ofthe second portion of antenna elements 118B may be controlled andadjusted as a group by the base station 112 using the controller,independent of the first portion of antenna elements 118A. Accordingly,the base station 112 may use a controller to independently adjustdifferent groups or portions of antenna elements within one antennaarray.

In embodiments, the operations, configurations, and/or settings of eachindividual antenna element of the first and second portions of antennaelements 118A and 118B may be adjusted and customized. For example, thebase station 112 instructs the first portion of antenna elements 118A totransmit one or more synchronization signals using a first periodicity.In another example, the first portion of antenna elements 118A maytransmit a first plurality of synchronization signals using a firstperiodicity, as instructed by the base station 112. The synchronizationsignals may be specific to and/or configured for the first accesstechnology, in embodiments.

Accordingly, the base station 112 may use a controller to independentlyadjust different individual antenna elements, any number of groupingsand/or subset(s) of each portion of antenna elements, and/or portions ofantenna elements within one antenna array. In embodiments, the basestation 112 may use a controller to measure and monitor one or more ofthroughput, signal quality metrics (e.g., SINR), a quantity of uniqueusers/subscribers, a quantity of unique UE, and/or RLFs.

The base station 112 may use the controller to determine a quantity ofRLFs that occurred, in some embodiments. For example, the base station112 may determine a quantity of RLFs occurring over a defined period oftime, e.g., 100 RLFs per minute, 5 RLFs per 20 milliseconds. In variousembodiments, the base station 112 may monitor a total quantity of RLFsoccurring over a period of time (e.g., 24 hours, 1 hour, 5 minutes, 30seconds) and/or a rate of RLFs of UE that are connected to the network102 at the base station 112 using the first access technology and/or thesecond access technology. In some embodiments, the base station 112 maymonitor and/or measure the quantity and/or rate of RLFs of UE which arecapable of utilizing the first access technology (e.g., current UE via5G). The base station 112 may, in some embodiments, determine a quantityof RLFs that are associated with or correspond to synchronization signalfailures of one or more UE that are capable of using the first accesstechnology. When one or more UE experience one or more RLFs, the RLFsmay indicate that the UE are unable to and/or cannot connect to thenetwork 102 using the first access technology. For example, when one ormore UE that are capable of using 5G experience one or more RLFs basedon a failure of the one or more UE to detect synchronization signalstransmitted over 5G, the RLFs indicate that the 5G-capable UE are unableto and/or cannot connect to the network 102 using 5G. Generally, theRLFs may be communicated to the base station by one or more UE and/or aneighboring base station, in some embodiments.

In embodiments, when a quantity of RLFs meets a predefined threshold,the base station 112 may change the periodicity of the synchronizationsignals that are transmitted, e.g., from a first periodicity of 20millisecond repeats to a second periodicity of 10 millisecond repeats.The threshold quantity may be a predefined value (e.g., integer) set bya network operator. Based on the quantity, rate, and/or rate of RLFsoccurring for UE that are first access technology capable, the basestation 112 may determine to change the periodicity of thesynchronization signals that are subsequently transmitted (e.g., inorder to reduce the total quantity and/or rate of RLFs). In someembodiments, the quantity and/or rate of RLFs used by the base station112 to make a determination to change periodicity may result from,correspond to, and/or be specific to synchronization signal detectionfailures for the first access technology and/or UE that are capable ofutilizing the first access technology (e.g., a failure to detect one ormore SS blocks). For example, the RLFs used by the base station 112 tomake a periodicity change determination may be specific to those UE thatare capable of using the first access technology, as opposed to legacyUE that are not capable of using the first access technology. In oneexample, the base station 112 may determine to change SS blockperiodicity when the quantity and/or rate of RLFs that are specificallyoccurring due to synchronization signal detection failures of firstaccess technology UE meets or exceeds a network operator-definedthreshold. Accordingly, RLFs occurring for UE that are not capable ofutilizing the first access technology may be disregarded by the basestation 112 for the purposes of determining periodicity changes for thefirst access technology.

Based on the quantity, rate, and/or “type” (e.g., specific to SS Blockdetection failure and/or specific to 5G-capable UE) of RLFs relative tothe threshold, and the base station 112 making a determination to changethe periodicity of synchronization signals for the first accesstechnology, the base station 112 may identify, dynamically determine,and/or select a new value for the periodicity to implement and use forsubsequently transmitting synchronization signals from the first portionof antenna elements 118A that are associated with the first accesstechnology, in embodiments. Accordingly, the base station 112 maydetermine that the current or existing “first” periodicity from whichthe RLFs resulted may be changed to a new “second” periodicity. Inembodiments, the second periodicity is less than the first periodicity,meaning that the duration of the time interval between repeatingsynchronization signals of the second periodicity is shorter than theduration of the time interval between the repeating synchronizationsignals of the first periodicity. In one example, the first periodicityis a duration of a 20 millisecond time interval that lapses betweentransmissions of synchronization signals and the second periodicity is aduration of a less than 20 millisecond time interval that lapses betweentransmissions of synchronization signals. In another example, the firstperiodicity is at least 20 milliseconds and the second periodicity is 10milliseconds. By shortening the periodicity to increase the repeatedtransmissions of first access technology specific synchronizationsignals, first access technology capable UE are provided moreopportunities to detect the first access technology specificsynchronization signals. This is predicted to decrease the quantityand/or rate of RLFs, in embodiments. It will be understood thatdecreasing the time interval or otherwise shortening the periodicityresults in an increase in the number of resource blocks that areassigned to the transmission of the synchronization signals. As such,using the second periodicity to transmit synchronization signals every nnumber of resource blocks (e.g., to repeat every n number of resourceblocks) results in the overall number of resource blocks used for thesecond periodicity to be greater than the overall number of resourceblocks used when implementing the first periodicity.

The base station 112 may use the first periodicity to identify,dynamically determine, and/or select the second periodicity, in variousembodiments. In some embodiments, the base station 112 determines thenew periodicity by reducing the existing periodicity by an integer n.For example, the second periodicity is determined by reducing the firstperiodicity of 20 milliseconds by 4 milliseconds, where the secondperiodicity is 16 milliseconds. In another example, the secondperiodicity is determined by reducing the first periodicity of 20milliseconds by 7 milliseconds, where the second periodicity is 13milliseconds. In yet another example, the second periodicity isdetermined by reducing the first periodicity of 20 milliseconds by 5milliseconds, where the second periodicity is 15 milliseconds. Invarious embodiments, n may be a fixed or default value.

In some embodiments, the base station 112 determines the secondperiodicity by referencing a table or index that specifies a value. Thesecond periodicity may be a fixed value that is independent of the firstperiodicity in the table, or the second periodicity may be a value thatcan be looked up by the base station 112 using the first periodicity.For example, the base station may reference network operator definedvalues stored in an index that indicate a second periodicity is 15milliseconds when the first periodicity is 20 milliseconds.

Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the base station 112determines that the second periodicity that is less than the firstperiodicity based on one or more of the determined quantity of RLFs, therate of RLFs, one or more radio frequency conditions at the cell site,and/or a total quantity of first access technology capable UE at thecell site. In one example, when the base station 112 determines thatthere are 150 UE capable of using the first access technology, the basestation 112 may determine to change from the first periodicity of 20milliseconds to a second periodicity of 10 milliseconds. In anotherexample, when the base station 112 determines that there are 20 UEcapable of using the first access technology, the base station 112 maydetermine to change from the first periodicity of 20 milliseconds to asecond periodicity of 16 milliseconds. In yet another example, when thebase station 112 determines that there are five UE capable of using thefirst access technology, the base station 112 may determine to changefrom the first periodicity of 20 milliseconds to a second periodicity of18 milliseconds. In various embodiments, the quantity of resourceblocks, the duration of the time interval, or “amount” by which thefirst periodicity is lessened, shortened, or reduced by the base stationin order to generate the second periodicity may be proportionate to thequantity of UE that are capable of utilizing the first access technologyat the cell site, as assessed by the base station 112 at the time of,within a predefined time period of (i.e., near in time), or concurrentlywith the determination of the quantity of RLFs (e.g., as the quantity ofUE increases at the cell site with RLFs that meet the threshold, thereduction from the first periodicity to the second periodicity isincreased by the base station 112, wherein the SS blocks are repeatedmore frequently). Alternatively, the quantity of resource blocks, theduration of the time interval, or “amount” by which the firstperiodicity is lessened, shortened, or reduced by the base station inorder to generate the second periodicity may not proportionate to thequantity of UE that are capable of utilizing the first access technologyat the cell site (e.g., may be a fixed, static value), in someembodiments.

Once the base station 112 has identified, dynamically determined, and/orselected the second periodicity, the base station 112 may adjust theperiodicity of subsequently transmitted synchronization signals (e.g.,SS Block) permanently, transiently, or for a predetermined period oftime (e.g., 5 minutes, 1 day, 1 month, 1 year). The predetermined periodof time may be defined by a network operator or may be a default value.In embodiments, the periodicity of synchronization signals transmittedfrom the first portion of antenna elements 118A that are associated withthe first access technology may be changed from the first periodicity tothe second periodicity by the base station 112, while the base station112 concurrently maintains (i.e., does not adjust) the periodicity ofsynchronization signals transmitted from the second portion of antennaelements 118B that are associated with the second access technology.

For example, FIG. 3 illustrates an example 300 of a defined timinginterval for synchronization signal blocks 302 in accordance with one ormore embodiments for wireless transmissions. In FIG. 3 , one or moresynchronization signals 302, such as an SS Block, may be transmittedusing the first periodicity. As shown in FIG. 3 , resource blocks areassigned or dedicated to the one or more synchronization signals in arepeating manner. The one or more synchronization signals 302 may repeatat an interval of 20 milliseconds between transmissions of the one ormore synchronization signals 302. FIG. 4 illustrates an example 400 of adefined timing interval for synchronization signal blocks 400 forwireless transmissions. In FIG. 4 , one or more additionalsynchronization signals 402, such as an SS Block, may be transmittedusing the second periodicity. As shown in FIG. 4 , resource blocks areassigned or dedicated to the one or more additional synchronizationsignals 402 in a repeating manner having the second periodicity. Asshown in FIG. 4 , the second periodicity is shortened or less than thefirst periodicity, and the one or more additional synchronizationsignals 402 may repeat at an interval of 10 milliseconds. It will beunderstood that FIGS. 3 and 4 are merely examples and the values of 20and 10 milliseconds should not be construed as limiting.

Subsequent to changing over to the second periodicity and transmittingone or more additional synchronization signals using the secondperiodicity, the base station 112 may monitor a quantity and/or a rateof RLFs associated with the UE that are capable of utilizing the firstaccess technology, in embodiments. As such, one or more RLFs that occurafter one or more additional synchronization signals are transmittedusing the second periodicity can be measured and monitored to determinewhether using the second periodicity reduced the quantity and/or rate ofRLFs relative to the previously-determined quantity and/or rate of theRLFs that occurred when using the first periodicity to send one or moresynchronization signals. The base station 112 may also monitor the totalquantity of the UE capable of utilizing the first access technology atthe cell site subsequent to changing over to the second periodicity andtransmitting one or more additional synchronization signals using thesecond periodicity, in some embodiments.

In some embodiments, after implementation of the second periodicity, thebase station 112 may determine whether the quantity and/or rate of RLFsresulting from synchronization signal detection failures for UE that arecapable of using the first access technology meets the predefinedthreshold. In some embodiments, the same predefined threshold is used toevaluate RLFs for the first periodicity and the second periodicity.Alternatively, a first predefined threshold may be used to evaluate RLFsfor the first periodicity while a different, second predefined thresholdmay be used to evaluate RLFs for the second periodicity. For example, afirst predefined threshold of 50 or more RLFs may be used to evaluateproblematic or poor 5G on-loading using the first periodicity and totrigger a change in periodicity, while a different second predefinedthreshold of 10 or fewer RLFs may be used to evaluate whether sufficientacceptable on-loading is achieved by implementing and using the secondperiodicity. In some embodiments, after implementation of the secondperiodicity, the base station 112 may determine that the quantity and/orrate of RLFs resulting from synchronization signal detection failuresfor UE that are capable of using the first access technology meets thepredefined threshold.

Based on the determination that the predefined threshold is met for thesecond periodicity, the base station 112 may determine to change thesecond periodicity to a different third periodicity, in embodiments. Insome embodiments, the third periodicity is a time interval having aduration that is less than a duration of the second periodicity. Forexample, the second periodicity of 10 milliseconds may be replaced withthe third periodicity that is 5 milliseconds. In other words, theduration of the time interval between repeating synchronization signalsof the third periodicity is shorter than the duration of the timeinterval between the repeating synchronization signals of the secondperiodicity. One SS block can be subsequently transmitted every 5milliseconds, in such an example. By increasing the rate at whichsynchronization signals repeat (i.e., shortening the duration of a timeinterval between synchronization signal transmissions, thus reducingperiodicity), the base station 112 provides one or more UE an increasednumber of opportunities and/or more frequent opportunities to detectsynchronization signals. Based on the increased number of opportunitiesand/or more frequent opportunities available for detection ofsynchronization signals, the UE may more quickly connect to the networkusing the first access technology. The monitoring of RLFs and resettingor adjusting the periodicity used by the base station 112 to transmitsynchronization signals may be repeated iteratively, in furtherembodiments. For example, the monitoring of RLFs and resetting oradjusting the periodicity used by the base station 112 to transmitsynchronization signals may be repeated iteratively until the RLFsmeasured do not meet the predefined threshold.

Additional criteria may be considered when adjusting from oneperiodicity to another periodicity, either individually or together inany combination, including an increased number of UE (e.g., relative toa network operator defined UE-quantity threshold) that are capable ofusing the first access technology at the cell site, high loading (e.g.,relative to a network operator defined loading threshold) of the UE thatare capable of using the first access technology at the cell site,and/or radio frequency conditions of UE (e.g., relative to a networkoperator defined radio frequency condition-specific threshold(s)) thatare capable of using the first access technology.

Having described the network environment 100 and components operatingtherein, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the artthat the network environment 100 is but one example of a suitablenetwork and is not intended to limit the scope of use or functionalityof the present invention. Similarly, the network environment 100 shouldnot be interpreted as imputing any dependency and/or any requirementswith regard to each component and combination(s) of componentsillustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4 . It will be appreciated by those ofordinary skill in the art that the number, interactions, and physicallocation of components illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4 are examples, asother methods, hardware, software, components, and devices forestablishing one or more communication links between the variouscomponents may be utilized in implementations of the present invention.It will be understood to those of ordinary skill in the art that thecomponents may be connected in various manners, hardwired or wireless,and may use intermediary components that have been omitted or notincluded in FIGS. 1 through 4 for simplicity's sake. As such, theabsence of components from FIGS. 1 through 4 should not be interpretedas limiting the present invention to exclude additional components andcombination(s) of components. Moreover, though components may berepresented as singular components or may be represented in a particularquantity in FIGS. 1 through 4 , it will be appreciated that someembodiments may include a plurality of devices and/or components suchthat FIGS. 1 through 4 should not be considered as limiting the quantityof any device and/or component.

Methods

Having described the network environment 100, methods are discussed thatcan be performed within the network environment 100 and using thecomponents discussed in FIGS. 1 through 4 . The methods are discussedwith brevity to avoid redundancy with the previous sections, and furtherincorporate aspects previously described with regard to FIGS. 1 through4 .

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate examples of methods that may be performed viaone or more of the components and component interactions previouslydescribed in FIGS. 1 through 4 . As such, the methods are discussedbriefly, though it will be understood that the previous discussion anddetails may be applicable to aspects of the methods of FIGS. 5 and 6 .Additionally or alternatively, it will be understood that the methodsdiscussed herein can be implemented or performed via the execution ofcomputer-readable instructions stored on computer readable media, by oneor more processors, such as hardware processors. For example, themethods discussed herein may be accomplished using computer-readablestorage media (e.g., non-transitory) having computer-executableinstructions embodied thereon that, when executed by one or moreprocessors, cause the processors to perform the methods. Further, itwill be understood that the methods herein may be performed for a singlecell site, or further, may be performed for each of a plurality of cellsites. As such, in various embodiments, the methods are discussed hereinwith respect to one cell site, such as a cell site that comprises anEN-DC antenna that concurrently provides network access through a firstand second access technology. However, it will be understood that themethods may be iteratively repeated for a plurality of antennas and aplurality of cells sites across a global network.

FIG. 5 provides an example of a method 500 of optimizing a userexperience based on periodicity modifications in accordance withembodiments herein. In embodiments, the method 500 is performed at abase station, for example, such as the base station 112 of FIG. 1 . Insome embodiments, the base station is associated with a cell site thatincludes an EN-DC antenna array, wherein the EN-DC antenna concurrentlyprovides concurrent network access through both a first and secondaccess technology. As such, the base station may control the EN-DCantenna array having a plurality of antenna elements, wherein a firstsubset of antenna elements are dedicated to a first access technologyand a second subset of antenna elements are dedicated to a second accesstechnology. It will be understood from this Description that the method500 may be performed, continually or periodically, for a plurality ofsectors and across a plurality of cell sites. Additionally, the method500 may be performed, continually or periodically, for each of aplurality of cell sites, across a global network.

At block 502, one or more synchronization signals are transmitted usinga first periodicity. For example, one or more synchronization signalsare transmitted using a first periodicity of 20 millisecond timeintervals between transmissions of the one or more synchronizationsignals. In another example, an SS Block is transmitted every 20milliseconds (i.e., using a first periodicity). A quantity ofsynchronization signal detection failures is determined to meet athreshold, at block 504. The quality of synchronization signal failuresmay be only any scale. The quantity of synchronization signal detectionfailures is determined based on one or more radio link failures of oneor more UE, in some embodiments. In some embodiments, therefore, one ormore radio link failures may be identified to have occurred for one ormore 5G-capable UE based on a failure of the one or more 5G-capable UEto detect at least one of the one or more synchronization signalstransmitted using the first periodicity. In an embodiment, the one ormore UE are 5G-capable devices, such that the method is specificallyexamining the RLFs of 5G-capable devices.

Shown at block 506, a second periodicity that is different from thefirst periodicity is determined. In some embodiments, the secondperiodicity may be determined based on the quantity of synchronizationsignal detection failures, wherein the quantity of synchronizationsignal failures is monitored relative to the threshold prior tomodifying the existing periodicity. Generally, the first periodicity isa lengthier time duration or greater time interval than the secondperiodicity. For example, when the first periodicity is a reoccurringtime interval of n milliseconds, the second periodicity may be anotherreoccurring time interval of n−1 milliseconds. In one embodiment, thesecond periodicity is less than 10 milliseconds. In another embodiment,the first periodicity is greater than the second periodicity and thesecond periodicity is less than 15 milliseconds. In yet anotherembodiment, the first periodicity is greater than the second periodicityand the second periodicity is less than 20 milliseconds.

In response to determining that the quantity of synchronization signaldetection failures meets the threshold, one or more additionalsynchronization signals are subsequently transmitted using the secondperiodicity, as shown at block 508. In further embodiments, the quantityof synchronization signal detection failures is monitored relative tothe threshold subsequent to modifying the existing periodicity. Thequantity of synchronization signal detection failures after implementingthe second periodicity may be monitored in near real-time, continuously,or periodically, in various embodiments. Based on the quantity ofsynchronization signal detection failures occurring after implementationof the second periodicity, the periodicity may be adjusted further, aspreviously discussed herein, one time or many times, in order tooptimize the user experience to reduce and/or minimize RLFs based onsynchronization signal detection failures experienced by UE that arecapable of using the first access technology.

FIG. 6 provides an example of a method 600 of optimizing a userexperience based on periodicity modifications in accordance withembodiments herein. In embodiments, the method 600 is performed at abase station, for example, such as the base station 112 of FIG. 1 . Insome embodiments, the base station is associated with a cell site thatincludes an EN-DC antenna array, wherein the EN-DC antenna concurrentlyprovides concurrent network access through both a first and secondaccess technology. As such, the base station may control the EN-DCantenna array having a plurality of antenna elements, wherein a firstsubset of antenna elements are dedicated to a first access technologyand a second subset of antenna elements are dedicated to a second accesstechnology. It will be understood from this Description that the method600 may be performed, continually or periodically, for a plurality ofsectors and across a plurality of cell sites. Additionally, the method600 may be performed, continually or periodically, for each of aplurality of sectors within each of a plurality of cell sites, across aglobal network.

At block 602, a first plurality of synchronization signals aretransmitted using a first periodicity, wherein the plurality ofsynchronization signals are configured for receipt by one or more UEthat are capable of using a first access technology. Shown at block 604,a first quantity of synchronization signal detection failures aredetermined to meet a threshold based on the first plurality ofsynchronization signals transmitted. In embodiments, a base station mayidentify a plurality of radio link failures occurring for one or more UEthat are capable of using a first access technology. Then, the basestation may determine that at least one of the plurality of radio linkfailures corresponds to one or more of the first quantity ofsynchronization signal detection failures by at least one of the one ormore UE, in embodiments. Based on identifying the RLFs that specificallycorrespond to synchronization signal failures, the base station maydetermine whether these type of RLFs meet the threshold. For example,the first quantity of synchronization signal detection failures for thefirst plurality of synchronization signals transmitted may be determinedbased on one or more radio link failures of the one or more UE that arecapable of using a first access technology.

A second periodicity is determined at block 606, based on a totalquantity of the one or more UE that are capable of using the firstaccess technology, wherein the second periodicity is a repeatable timeinterval that is shorter in duration than the first periodicity. In someembodiments, the second periodicity may be determined by reducing thefirst periodicity by a predetermined amount (e.g., network operatordefined or default) or by referencing a default repeatable timeinterval, as previously discussed herein. In embodiments, the secondperiodicity may be determined based on loading of the first accesstechnology. Additionally or alternatively, the second periodicity may befurther determined based on a radio frequency condition of the firstaccess technology.

At block 608, a second plurality of synchronization signals aretransmitted using the second periodicity. Further, a second quantity ofsynchronization signal detection failures may be monitored based on thesecond plurality of synchronization signals transmitted, shown at block610. In further embodiments, a second quantity of synchronization signaldetection failures for the second plurality of synchronization signalstransmitted may be determined to be less than the threshold. In one suchembodiment, the second periodicity for the first access technology maybe maintained in response to the determination that the second quantityof synchronization signal detection failures for the second plurality ofsynchronization signals transmitted is less than the threshold.

In another embodiment, a second quantity of synchronization signaldetection failures for the second plurality of synchronization signalstransmitted is determined to meet the threshold. In one such embodiment,a third periodicity may be determined when the second quantity ofsynchronization signal detection failures for the second plurality ofsynchronization signals transmitted meets the threshold. The thirdperiodicity may be a repeatable time interval that is shorter induration than the second periodicity, in such embodiments. Further, inembodiments, a third plurality of synchronization signals may betransmitted using the third periodicity. Then, in embodiments, a thirdquantity of synchronization signal detection failures may be monitoredbased on the third plurality of synchronization signals transmitted. Insome embodiments, the third quantity of synchronization signal detectionfailures for the third plurality of synchronization signals transmittedis determined to be less than the threshold. The third periodicity forthe first access technology may be maintained in response to thedetermination that the third quantity of synchronization signaldetection failures for the third plurality of synchronization signalstransmitted is less than the threshold.

Referring to FIG. 7 , a block diagram of an example of a computingdevice 700 suitable for use in implementations of the technologydescribed herein is provided. In particular, the exemplary computerenvironment is shown and designated generally as computing device 700.Computing device 700 is but one example of a suitable computingenvironment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to thescope of use or functionality of the invention. Neither should computingdevice 700 be interpreted as having any dependency or requirementrelating to any one or combination of components illustrated. Inaspects, the computing device 700 may be a base station. In anotherembodiment, the computing device 700 may be UE capable of two-waywireless communications with an access point. Some non-limiting examplesof the computing device 700 include a base station, a controller at abase station, a backhaul server, a personal computer, a cell phone,current UE, legacy UE, a tablet, a pager, a personal electronic device,a wearable electronic device, an activity tracker, a laptop, and thelike.

The implementations of the present disclosure may be described in thegeneral context of computer code or machine-useable instructions,including computer-executable instructions such as program components,being executed by a computer or other machine, such as a personal dataassistant or other handheld device. Generally, program components,including routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, andthe like, refer to code that performs particular tasks or implementsparticular abstract data types. Implementations of the presentdisclosure may be practiced in a variety of system configurations,including handheld devices, consumer electronics, general-purposecomputers, specialty computing devices, etc. Implementations of thepresent disclosure may also be practiced in distributed computingenvironments where tasks are performed by remote-processing devices thatare linked through a communications network.

As shown in FIG. 7 , computing device 700 includes a bus 702 thatdirectly or indirectly couples various components together. The bus 702may directly or indirectly one or more of memory 704, processor(s) 706,presentation component(s) 708 (if applicable), radio(s) 710,input/output (I/O) port(s) 712, input/output (I/O) component(s) 714,power supply 716, and/or transmitter(s) 718. Although the components ofFIG. 7 are shown with lines for the sake of clarity, in reality,delineating various components is not so clear, and metaphorically, thelines would more accurately be grey and fuzzy. For example, one mayconsider a presentation component(s) 708 such as a display device to beone of I/O components 714. Also, the processor(s) 706 may include memory704, in another example. The present disclosure hereof recognizes thatsuch is the nature of the art, and reiterates that FIG. 7 is merelyillustrative of an example of a computing device 700 that can be used inconnection with one or more implementations of the present disclosure.Distinction is not made between such categories as “workstation,”“server,” “laptop,” “handheld device,” etc., as all are contemplatedwithin the scope of the present disclosure and refer to “computer” or“computing device.”

Memory 704 may take the form of memory components described herein.Thus, further elaboration will not be provided here, but it should benoted that memory 704 may include any type of tangible medium that iscapable of storing information, such as a database or data store. Adatabase or data store may be any collection of records, files, orinformation encoded as electronic data and stored in memory 704, forexample. In one embodiment, memory 704 may include a set of embodiedcomputer-readable and executable instructions that, when executed,facilitate various functions or elements disclosed herein. Theseembodied instructions will variously be referred to as “instructions” oran “application” for short.

Processor(s) 706 may be multiple processors that receive instructionsand process them accordingly. Presentation component(s) 708, ifavailable, may include a display device, an audio device such as aspeaker, and/or other components that may present information throughvisual (e.g., a display, a screen, a lamp (LED), a graphical userinterface (GUI), and/or even lighted keyboards), auditory, and/or othertactile or sensory cues.

Radio(s) 710 represents one or more radios that facilitate communicationwith a wireless telecommunications network. For example, radio(s) 710may be connected to one or more antenna elements through a physicalpath. Illustrative wireless telecommunications technologies includeCDMA, GPRS, TDMA, GSM, and the like. Radio(s) 710 might additionally oralternatively facilitate other types of wireless communicationsincluding Wi-Fi, WiMAX, 4G, 3G, 4G, LTE, mMIMO, 5G, NR, VoLTE, and/orother VoIP communications. As can be appreciated, in variousembodiments, radio(s) 710 can be configured to concurrently supportmultiple technologies, as previously discussed herein. As such, each ofmany radio(s) 710 may be used to separately control portions of anantenna array, for example, where at least one portion utilizes adistinct technology relative to another portion in the same antennaarray or at the same base station or cell site. A wirelesstelecommunications network might include an array of devices, which arenot shown so as to not obscure more relevant aspects of the invention.Components such as a base station, a communications tower, or evenaccess points (as well as other components) can provide wirelessconnectivity in some embodiments.

The input/output (I/O) ports 712 may take a variety of forms. ExemplaryI/O ports 712 may include a USB jack, a stereo jack, an infrared port, afirewire port, other proprietary communications ports, and the like.Input/output (I/O) components 714 may comprise keyboards, microphones,speakers, touchscreens, and/or any other item usable to directly orindirectly input data into the computing device 700.

Power supply 716 may include batteries, fuel cells, and/or any othercomponent that may act as a power source to supply power to thecomputing device 700 or to other network components, including throughone or more electrical connections or couplings. Power supply 716 may beconfigured to selectively supply power to different componentsindependently and/or concurrently.

Finally, regarding FIGS. 1 through 6 , it will be understood by those ofordinary skill in the art that the environment(s), system(s), and/ormethods(s) depicted are not intended to limit the scope of use orfunctionality of the present embodiments. Similarly, the environment(s),system(s), and/or methods(s) should not be interpreted as imputing anydependency and/or any requirements with regard to each component, eachstep, and combination(s) of components or step(s) illustrated therein.It will be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art thatthe connections illustrated the figures are contemplated to potentiallyinclude methods, hardware, software, and/or other devices forestablishing a communications link between the components, devices,systems, and/or entities, as may be utilized in implementation of thepresent embodiments. As such, the absence of component(s) and/orsteps(s) from the figures should be not be interpreted as limiting thepresent embodiments to exclude additional component(s) and/orcombination(s) of components. Moreover, though devices and components inthe figures may be represented as singular devices and/or components, itwill be appreciated that some embodiments can include a plurality ofdevices and/or components such that the figures should not be consideredas limiting the number of devices and/or components.

It is noted that embodiments of the present invention are describedherein with reference to block diagrams and flowchart illustrations.However, it should be understood that each block of the block diagramsand/or flowchart illustrations can be implemented in the form of acomputer program product, an entirely hardware embodiment, a combinationof hardware and computer program products, and/or apparatus, systems,computing devices/entities, computing entities, and/or the like carryingout instructions, operations, steps, and similar words usedinterchangeably (e.g., the executable instructions, instructions forexecution, program code, and/or the like) on a computer-readable storagemedium for execution. For example, retrieval, loading, and execution ofcode can be performed sequentially such that one instruction isretrieved, loaded, and executed at a time. In some embodiments,retrieval, loading, and/or execution can be performed in parallel suchthat multiple instructions are retrieved, loaded, and/or executedtogether. Thus, such embodiments can produce specifically-configuredmachines performing the steps or operations specified in the blockdiagrams and flowchart illustrations. Accordingly, the block diagramsand flowchart illustrations support various combinations of embodimentsfor performing the specified instructions, operations, or steps.

Additionally, as should be appreciated, various embodiments of thepresent disclosure described herein can also be implemented as methods,apparatus, systems, computing devices/entities, computing entities,and/or the like. As such, embodiments of the present disclosure can takethe form of an apparatus, system, computing device, computing entity,and/or the like executing instructions stored on a computer-readablestorage medium to perform certain steps or operations. However,embodiments of the present disclosure can also take the form of anentirely hardware embodiment performing certain steps or operations.

Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as wellas components not shown, are possible without departing from the scopeof the claims below. Embodiments of our technology have been describedwith the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternativeembodiments will become apparent to readers of this disclosure after andbecause of reading it. Alternative means of implementing theaforementioned can be completed without departing from the scope of theclaims below. Certain features and subcombinations are of utility andmay be employed without reference to other features and subcombinationsand are contemplated within the scope of the claims.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A method of optimizing a user experience based onperiodicity modifications, the method comprising: determining that aquantity of block failures meets or exceeds a threshold; subsequent todetermining that the quantity of block failures meets or exceeds athreshold, determine a new periodicity to utilize that is shorter that acurrent periodicity based on a total loading of 5G-connected UE at acell site; and instructing the cell site to transmit a plurality ofsynchronization signal blocks using the new periodicity.
 22. The methodof claim 21, further comprising: subsequent to instructing the cell siteto transmit the plurality of synchronization signal blocks using the newperiodicity, monitoring for additional block failures.
 23. The method ofclaim 22, further comprising: determining whether a quantity of theadditional block failures meets or exceeds the threshold.
 24. The methodof claim 23, further comprising: when the quantity of the additionalblock failures meets or exceeds the threshold, determining anotherperiodicity that is shorter in duration than the new periodicity. 25.The method of claim 21, wherein determining the new periodicity that isshorter in duration than the current periodicity comprises: shorteningthe current periodicity by a predefined time period to determine the newperiodicity.
 26. The method of claim 21, wherein determining the newperiodicity that is shorter in duration than the current periodicitycomprises: shortening the current periodicity by a dynamically selectedtime period to determine the new periodicity.
 27. The method of claim21, wherein determining the new periodicity that is shorter in durationthan the current periodicity comprises: shortening the currentperiodicity by a particular time period that is designated for the totalloading of the 5G-capable UE.
 28. The method of claim 21, wherein thenew periodicity is determined further based on a total quantity of5G-capable UE connected to a base station.
 29. The method of claim 21,wherein the new periodicity increases a total quantity of resourceblocks assigned for transmitting the synchronization signal block. 30.Non-transitory computer-readable storage media havingcomputer-executable instructions embodied thereon that, when executed byone or more processors, cause the processors to perform a method, themedia comprising: via one or more processors: determine that a quantityof block failures meets or exceeds a threshold; subsequent todetermining that the quantity of block failures meets or exceeds athreshold, determine a new periodicity to utilize that is shorter that acurrent periodicity based on a total quantity of 5G-connected UE at acell site; and instruct the cell site to transmit a plurality ofsynchronization signal blocks using the new periodicity.
 31. Thecomputer-readable storage media of claim 30, wherein the processors arecaused to: when a predefined period of time lapses subsequent toinstructing the cell site to transmit the plurality of synchronizationsignal blocks, automatically revert to using a prior periodicity tosubsequently transmit another plurality of synchronization signalblocks.
 32. The computer-readable storage media of claim 30, wherein theprocessors are caused to: subsequently determine that a second quantityof block failures meets or exceeds a threshold.
 33. Thecomputer-readable storage media of claim 32, wherein the processors arecaused to: when the second quantity of block failures meets or exceedsthe threshold, determine another periodicity that is different from thenew periodicity.
 34. The computer-readable storage media of claim 30,wherein the processors are caused to: determine the new periodicity bychanging a time interval of a prior periodicity using a predefinedinteger.
 35. The computer-readable storage media of claim 30, whereinthe processors are caused to: determine the new periodicity by changinga time interval of a prior periodicity by a dynamically selectedinteger.
 36. The computer-readable storage media of claim 30, whereinthe processors are caused to: determine the new periodicity by changingthe time interval of a prior periodicity in proportion to the totalquantity of the plurality of 5G-connected UE.
 37. The computer-readablestorage media of claim 30, wherein the processors are caused to:determine the new periodicity based further on current loading of theplurality of 5G-connected UE.
 38. The computer-readable storage media ofclaim 30, wherein the processors are caused to: determine the newperiodicity further based on a radio frequency condition of a firstaccess technology.
 39. The computer-readable storage media of claim 30,wherein the new periodicity corresponds to an increase in a totalquantity of resource blocks assigned for transmitting the plurality ofsynchronization signal blocks.
 40. A system comprising: one or morehardware processors that: determine that a quantity of block failuresmeets or exceeds a threshold; subsequent to determining that thequantity of block failures meets or exceeds a threshold, determine a newperiodicity to utilize that is shorter that a current periodicity basedon a total quantity of 5G-connected UE at a cell site; and instruct thecell site to transmit a plurality of synchronization signal blocks usingthe new periodicity.